A simple formula can predict a baby’s risk at birth of becoming obese later in childhood, show the results of a new study.1 The researchers suggest that the formula could be used to target families who would benefit most from efforts to prevent obesity.

The formula, which is available as an online calculator (http://files-good.ibl.fr/childhood-obesity/), estimates the risk of obesity from the child’s birth weight, the body mass index (BMI) of the parents, the number of people in the household, …